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The Swing AgeAmerican Music Dominates the World
www.stefanwalcott.com
music.culture.music
Tech. Innov. - Radio
O Radio had now become a household item.
O Capable of reaching many people
simultaneously.
O Content can be received over a large
distance from one source.
O A passive form of entertainment.
The 1930s
O By the 1930s Jazz had moved in to large
performance halls or ballrooms.
O To get around the sometimes lack of band
amplification group sound was augmented
by increasing instrumentation.
O As opposed to earlier groups these bands
featured – 4-5 Saxes, 4 Trumpets, 3-4
trombones.
Fletcher Henderson
O F.H was one of the early pioneers of the
new instrumental genre.
O Arranged his ensemble to explore these
instrumental possibilities.
O F.H had band in 3 Sections – Horns,
Reeds and Rhythm section.
Benny Goodman
O Jewish clarinet player
from Chicago.
O Came to New York in
early 30’s after sideman
work and organised his
own band in 1934.
O His group played Big
Band arrangements by
Fletcher Henderson.
The Rise
OWillard Alexander and the Music Corp. of America spring '35. The band's performance on Aug. 21 at the Palomar Ballroom in LA was broadcast nationwide over radio and is often cited as the beginning of the Swing Era.
OBenny was known for his exacting, technical arrangements and his multi-racial band.
OReceived the name ‘King of Swing.’
Duke Ellington
O Band leader contemporary of Goodman.
O His band was mostly Black with a distinct Blusier sound.
O Known along with Billy Strayhorn for compositional techniques that embraced simple melodies with complex harmony and texture.
O Duke wrote thousand of pieces and is an influential arranger composer.
The Popular
O Benny’s influence and popularity was incredible.
O Many bands emerged all with similar sounds. “Unique” disappeared.
O Big bands of the thirties played a less complex music, less demanding on the ear, and easier for the listener to identify with melodically.
O This music CONQUERED the world’s musical expression and was featured in several films as well as PRINT media.
Swing Age
O The Swing age is the most popular type of
the “jazz” expression.
O It sparked a reactionist movement in the
40s.
